Pennsylvania bill could make it a felony to take children to drag shows

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Representative announced plans to introduce a bill that would allow law enforcement to charge someone with a third-degree felony if they take a minor to a drag show.

The bill, authored by Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R – Columbia), looks to change how Pennsylvania law defines the phrase “tends to corrupt.” Currently, it is a criminal offense for someone to commit any act that tends to corrupt the morals of a minor, the phrase defined as “any act that would offend the common sense of the community and the sense of decency, propriety, and morality which most people entertain.”

Leadbeter noted in his legislation that, “to avoid any ambiguity,” his bill would “explicitly provide” that taking a minor to a drag show would constitute the offense of corruption of minors.

Drag shows, or drag for short, is a form of performance art that involves clothes, music and makeup used in a way to exaggerate gender expression. Drag can be a form of self-expression, a form of entertainment or a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

The term “drag” originated in the 19th century, and is believed to have referenced long gowns that dragged across the floor during balls. American William Dorsey Swann was the first self-proclaimed “queen of drag” and hosted numerous balls in Washington, D.C. during the late 19th century.

“I believe that allowing any minor to attend such sexually charged and adult-oriented entertainment is exploitative and results in the premature sexualization of children,” Leadbeter wrote. “Indeed, numerous studies have demonstrated the significant health and behavioral impacts that exposure to sexually explicit content can have on children, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a permissive attitude towards casual sex.”

Leadbeter noted in his legislation one of the studies he relied on was from the National Institute of Health, with it being important to add context that the study does not reference drag, drag queens or drag shows. While all four sources referenced in the legislation focused on pornography usage online and it’s harmful affects, none touched on drag.